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Leeds vs Manchester City: 03/10/2020 – match preview and predicted starting XIs

Leeds United vs Manchester City

Date: 03/10/2020

K/O: 17:30

Venue: Elland Road

Referee: Mike Dean

TV: Sky Sports

Leeds United welcome a weakened Manchester City side to Elland Road in Saturday’s evening kick-off, in what is shaping up to be a high-octane clash of two impressive attacking units.

The Whites have six points from a possible nine so far, losing to Liverpool on the opening weekend and then beating Fulham and Sheffield United. City meanwhile have played a game less, and sit on three points from two games following their disastrous 5-2 loss at home to Leicester last time out.

City’s squad remains ravaged by injury, but many names are starting to ease back into action. The defence is buoyed by the acquisition of Ruben Dias in the week, and the Portuguese may make his league bow on Saturday.

Team News

Leeds

The Whites will again be without midfielder Pablo Hernandez as he continues his recovery from a groin injury, while winger Jack Harrison is unavailable to face his parent club. Ezgjan Alioski is expected to deputise on the left-wing. Tyler Roberts started in Hernandez’s absence against Sheffield United but was replaced at half time having struggled to make an impact. Marcelo Bielsa may opt to field Rodrigo from the start, while the rest of the team appears settled and unlikely to change.

That would mean another start for Illan Meslier in goal following an impressive display at Bramall Lane, protected by a back four of Luke Ayling, Robin Koch, Stuart Dallas and captain Liam Cooper. Kalvin Phillips who was again called up to the England squad by Gareth Southgate will anchor the midfield along with Mateusz Klich, with Helder Costa expected to continue on the right. Alioski and one of Roberts and Rodrigo will likely occupy the other attacking slots in midfield, behind in-form striker Patrick Bamford.

The likes of Jamie Shackleton and Pascal Struijk are again set for a role on the bench and they could be joined by Spanish defender Diego Llorente, having missed out at Bramall Lane after signing from Real Sociedad. Ian Poveda-Ocampo could also feature against the club he left in January.

Manchester City

Pep Guardiola made five changes for the midweek Carabao Cup victory at Burnley, which was City’s fourth game in 10 days. Kyle Walker and Rodri are the only players to have started all four, though Benjamin Mendy, Kevin De Bruyne, Raheem Sterling and Ferran Torres all featured at some point in each match.

The signing of Ruben Dias and return of Aymeric Laporte following a positive Covid result mean City are well stocked in central defence, though the absence of João Cancelo and Oleksandr Zinchenko has left full-backs Walker and Mendy tested in City’s demanding schedule.

Ederson will return in goal despite Zack Steffen’s midweek clean sheet, with Walker and Mendy again expected to start. Neither John Stones nor Eric Garcia featured at Turf Moor on Wednesday and could be called in if Guardiola opts to rotate his centre halves, though Aymeric Laporte, Nathan Aké and Ruben Dias are also available. Like Laporte, İlkay Gündoğan is available after testing positive for Covid but may be eased back into action, with Fernandinho and Rodri likely to continue their defensive midfield partnership having started three of City’s four games together.

Kevin De Bruyne was substituted midway through the second half against Burnley and should start at Elland Road, while Phil Foden was rested altogether. Bernardo Silva replaced De Bruyne in his first appearance of the season and will compete with Foden, Riyad Mahrez and Ferran Torres for roles on the wings.

With Gabriel Jesus and Sergio Agüero sidelined by injury, Raheem Sterling is expected to start at centre forward again, though 17-year-old Liam Delap may be thrown in at the deep end having scored his first senior goal in City’s Cup win against Bournemouth and then appearing as a substitute against Leicester.

Predicted Starting XIs

Leeds (4-1-4-1): Meslier; Ayling, Koch, Cooper, Dallas; Phillips; Klich, Costa, Rodrigo, Alioski; Bamford

Manchester City (4-3-3): Ederson; Walker, Stones, Laporte, Mendy; Fernandinho, Rodri, Foden, De Bruyne, Mahrez; Sterling

Score Prediction: Leeds 2-2 Manchester City

Expect a game played at lightning pace. Leeds will press high and will force City into mistakes, but they will leave gaps open at the back. Two of the Whites’ three league fixtures have ended 4-3 and this game should also be one for the neutrals.

Sam Hanys

A miserable Ipswich Town fan.

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